McLaren Pauses 'Macarena' Rear Wing Test Until After British GP

McLaren has shelved plans to test its Ferrari-inspired low-drag rear wing until after the British Grand Prix, deciding the complex mechanism requires more development before it can safely hit the track.

Why it matters:

With the championship battle tightening and budget cap constraints looming over every upgrade, protecting track time is critical. The team cannot afford to lose valuable practice sessions to an unproven component, especially while fighting to stay in the constructors' championship hunt against Mercedes and Ferrari.

The details:

• The so-called 'Macarena' wing rotates its entire upper flap in Straight Line Mode rather than simply pivoting it horizontally, delivering a more aggressive drag reduction effect than conventional DRS.
• That same complexity creates challenges. The mechanism must withstand race conditions, and its rotation triggers secondary aerodynamic shifts that alter tyre loadings and downforce levels as a driver approaches corners.
• Lando Norris acknowledged the difficulty during the Austrian GP weekend, calling it a "complicated project" that takes time to perfect despite its innovative appeal.
• The delay also reflects McLaren's stated 2026 approach of observing early-season rival innovations before fully committing to a definitive development path for the MCL40.

What's next:

Do not expect to see the wing at Silverstone. The British Grand Prix is a sprint weekend with only one hour of practice, making it an impractical venue for such a risky evaluation. McLaren will likely wait until Belgium at the earliest, giving the team more time to ensure the concept is robust enough to deliver on its promise.